If soils are too acidic, phosphorus reacts with iron and aluminum, making it unavailable to plants. But if soils are too alkaline, phosphorus reacts with calcium and also becomes inaccessible. However, liming can influence other ways by which phosphorus might become available to plants.

Brian Arnall and Misha Manucheri from Oklahoma State University Extension discusses how soil pH, or the amount of hydrogen (H) ions present in the soil solution, affects the persistence and uptake of a herbicide that has soil activity.

Judging from the number of calls received this year, the decrease of soil pH and increase in acres affected by aluminum (Al) toxicity is increasing in North Dakota and the region, says North Dakota State University Extension.

Soil gets tired. After years of supporting a rotating cast of crops, the soil’s nutrient supply is often exhausted. The tilling, turning, and planting also degrade the organic matter in the soil and its ability to stay hydrated.

With many farms experiencing excessive rains and saturated soil in 2017, Michigan State University Extension discusses how much nitrogen may have been lost through denitrification or leaching, and what to do about it.

Corn is usually the main focus of a grower’s fertility program, but no-tillers should pay just as much attention to their soybeans by knowing their soil quality and understanding nutrient availability.

Videos

Addressing a gathering of the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil & Healthy Water, Russell Hedrick of Hickory, N.C., shares a presentation on the impacts on water quality that can be realized by utilizing regenerative ag practices, such as growing cover crops, reducing soil disturbance, maintaining soil armor, and integrating livestock.

Finding solutions to the problems farmers face is what inspired Harry and Etta Yetter to open a small machine shop in west central Illinois in the 1930s. Today, four generations later, Yetter continues the tradition of solving agricultural problems to meet the needs of producers all over the world.

Needham Ag understands the role of technology in making better use of limited resources within a specific environment by drawing on a wealth of global experience to overcome the challenges facing today's farmers, manufacturers and dealers.